Name/Title
PhotographEntry/Object ID
2020.25.192Description
C.D. SMITH DRUG COMPANY
https://www.stjosephmemorylane.com/3rdstreet/3rdstreet.htmlPhotograph Details
Subject
photoSubject Person or Organization
C. D. Smith Drug CompanySubject Place
Location
3rd StreetCity
St. JosephState/Province
MissouriContext
This building, built in 1888, is one of St Joseph's oldest and most beautiful buildings that is still standing.
This landmark calibre building was constructed in 1888 for the C. D. Smith Drug Co. which is still located here. The architectural firm, Eckel and Mann, which designed this outstanding example of the Richardsonian Romanesque style, designed many of St. Joseph's finest structures. The attached warehouse to the north was constructed in 1904; its cost listed on the building permit was '5,500.
The C.D. Smith & Company was founded in St. Joseph in 1859 with Abram Nave and James McCord (Nave & McCord Company partners) as co-partners and also with Dudley M. Steele and Charles Daniel Smith, the latter of which was the company’s manager. The company was originally a grocery wholesale business, but later became a drug store in 1886. Amazingly, the company remained in the Smith family for 133 years until it was bought by company employees in 1992. C.D. Smith Healthcare was acquired by AmeriSource Health Corporation in 1999. CD Smith Drug Company moved into a new building in Mitchell Park. The building has been unoccupied since the move.
Warehouse/Light Manufacturing Facility. Romanesque Revival.
Five story brick building with elaborate terra cotta organic motifs characteristic of the Romanesque Revival style. Terra cotta used on corner spandrel of first story, capitals of fourth story, and along parapet. Central parapet inscribed "C.D. Smith, 1888" in terra cotta. Fanciful terra cotta animal figures on southwest corner on second, fourth, and parapet stories. Front facade dominated by arcade of monumental round arches stretching from the first to second stories and wrapping around corner to the south.
Windows on front elevation rectilinear; those on south and east set under segmental arches. Sheathing covers top of arcading and two-thirds of windows, but openings maintained; fourth story with 6/2 sash and fifth story with 4/1 sash. Covered concrete loading dock in the southeast corner; metal platform fire-escape on south elevation.
Two story historic wing connected on north elevation; brick pilasters with corbeling separate wing into three bays. First story with three wood garage doors, second story with two blocked windows per bay set in segmental arched openings; parapet roof above cornice; painted sign "C.D. Smith Drug Co." between stories.
Photos of fire/fire damaged building were submitted by Chantel Mace taken after the Nave & McCord fire on October 21, 2016. The remains of the Nave & McCord building can be seen in the bottom left of photo.Collection
PHOTOGRAPHRelationships
Related Person or Organization
Person or Organization
C. D. Smith Drug Company, Home Style Furniture & Bedding
